We’re getting a fairly close to feature complete launch on the F-14B when it arrives next week but that doesn’t meant that Heatblur isn’t done building content around their big launch on the F-14 Tomcat. We now have a solid idea of what’s coming next.

What’s not coming in early access

A module as big and complex as the F-14 requires years of development and Heatblur has had to delay their F-14 project multiple times to make it what they wanted it to be. Those delays have seemingly paid off with an incredible simulation of the Tomcat coming in just days now. The wait will likely have been worth it but the story isn’t over yet.

I let Cobra, a developer at Heatblur, tell the next part of the story:

Our goal has been to ship the F-14 in a major feature complete state for Early Access, and we’re incredibly proud to have achieved our goal to do so. That said, there are some specific items that have been either purposefully deferred until post-EA (due to potential for complications) and/or that we simply were unable to implement in time. Some of these will be implemented very quickly post release, especially that may be useful in conducting flight operations, while others constitute less important systems that serve merely as a future curiosity and will be added down the line. Most of the items on this list fall into the latter category.

Cobra847 on the DCS World Forums

The post includes a number of features and systems not being included in the launch. Most of these are of the extreme detail level such as having a full implementation of the DCS: F-14’s circuit breakers. There are some tweaks that the team also wants to make to the AIM-54 Phoenix, some of which will require input from Eagle Dynamics.

Improved AIM-54 control Allowing for better optimization of lofting and seekerhead modes, such as when to go active and to be fully SARH in STT. This feature is pending DCS API changes for 3rd parties to allow us to more directly control missile behaviour.

Three big pieces of content will also not ship in the initial early access launch. The F-14A, A-6 Intruder (AI model) and USS Forrestal are not going to be included at first. These will come later. Additional training missions will also be planned (an indeterminate number are included on day one) and neither of the two campaigns for the module are shipping at first launch.

Expect these additional pieces of content to be delivered over time.

LANTIRN images

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Heatblur also posted images from their LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) pod implementation showing the F-14 picking off a target with a precision strike. The F-14 isn’t just a Fleet Defender but also a capable (if still somewhat limited) strike aircraft. The F-14’s ability to pick off key targets at high altitudes shouldn’t be underestimated.

Win an F-14

The folks at The Fighter Pilot Podcast (run by a pair of former US Navy aviators) are offering up three DCS: F-14’s to be won in a draw.

We’re proud to announce we are giving away 3 DCS World F-14 modules courtesy of Heatblur Simulations. The winners will be notified and announced on Wed Mar 13 2019. If you want to enter please click the following link to register! Good luck to everyone that enters and thank you for all the support!
http://bit.ly/heatblur-f-14

The Fighter Pilot Podcast on Facebook

You can enter that contest here if you want a chance to win.